
Objectives 15
End-to-End QoS
Layer 2 QoS technologies offer solutions on a smaller scope only and can’t provide end-to-
end QoS simply because the Internet or any large scale IP network is made up of a large
group of diverse Layer 2 technologies. In a network, end-to-end connectivity starts at Layer
3 and, hence, only a network layer protocol, which is IP in the TCP/IP-based Internet, can
deliver end-to-end QoS.
The Internet is made up of diverse link technologies and physical media. IP, being the layer
providing end-to-end connectivity, needs to map its QoS functions to the link QoS
mechanisms, especially of switched networks, to facilitate end-to-end ...